Barbara Jean Williams Johnson

Barbara Jean Williams was born June 25, 1943 to the proud parents Samuel and Ruby Lee Williams in San Francisco, California. Barbara was the first child of this union and the fifth child of the family. She accepted Christ at a very young age and was baptized at Macedonia Baptist Church in Richmond, where the family resided. Barbara attended Verde Elementary, Walter T. Helms Middle School, and Richmond Union High School. Barbara continued her studies at Contra Costa Community College in San Pablo; where she excelled in shorthand; dictation and transcription and business. A mastered skilled set she used in employment and social activities. Barbara married her high school sweetheart Lionel Johnson and was blessed with three children.

Employment for Barbara began at Simon and Works Insurance Company in Richmond. Many years of employment as an Executive Assistant with Neighborhood House of North Richmond, keep the staff and her children very busy with tutoring and summer camp and numerous stories still being told today. State Service began with the Department of Health and Human Services in Berkeley, and a medical retirement from the Franchise Tax Board, Board of Equalization, Compliance Unit, in Oakland. The perfect job with her attention to detail.

Barbara stayed busy selling or doing something...... Tupperware, Lingerie, Mary Kay, Park Lane Jewelry, Miracle Maid Cookware {Won Bahama trip as top seller}, BJ's Elegant Accessories, and of course Avon.

Richmond Union High School Class of 1961; The GirlFriends. A dedicated group of friends enjoying biannual luncheons, cruises, and other social gatherings throughout the years. Members of this group continuously check on each other, pray for each other, and keep each other lifted as they continue on life's journey.

Barbara has been a member of Golden Poppy Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star for over 36 years. As of her passing, subordinate membership with Stars of Bethlehem, Chapter #39. Barbara served in various capacities and committees in the Grand and subordinate chapter through the years.

Barbara's walk with Jesus continued with North Richmond Missionary Baptist Church, and St. John Missionary Baptist Church (participated in mass choir and Mary's Circle), both of Richmond. Upon membership in the African Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Charles H. Belcher, all family members and siblings became AMEC worshippers. Barbara served as a Missionary, in the Lay Organization and as President, and as a Stewart. As of the date of her transition, Barbara was a member in good standing of New Home Missionary Baptist Church, Sacramento, and a member of the Mother's Board. An honor received shortly after joining under the leadership of Rev. Anthony Robertson, Sr.

Barbara departed this life on July 31, 2024 after a long battle with Lung Cancer. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lionel Johnson; parents, Samuel and Ruby L. Williams; and siblings, Mary L. Celestine, Velma Perkins, Lena L. Parker, Samuel Williams Jr., and Patricia A. Williams.

Left to cherish beautiful memories are daughters Antionette Lima {Jose Maria} (Vallejo), and Adrienne Johnson (Sacramento), and son André Johnson, Sr. (Concord); grandson André Johnson, Jr. (Georgia), and granddaughters Adria Davis {Josh} (Oregon), Kourtney Johnson (Berkeley), and Patricia Isom (Sacramento); great-grand children Leo and Mitchell Davis, and twins Olivia and Jackson Johnson, fur niece CoCo Williams, a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and the Sisters Extraordinaire Sammie L. Porter and Eunice Walker.